Air Canada flying with pets

What is Air Canada policy on pet acceptance?

Air Canada allows cats and dogs at least 12 weeks old and fully weaned to travel in the cabin or in the baggage compartment if you are traveling on the same flight operated by:

• Air Canada.
• Air Canada rouge.
• Air Canada Express  (operated by Jazz).

Due to unusually long airport delays and for the safety and comfort of pets, Air Canada doesn’t accept new requests for pets traveling in the baggage compartment until September 12, 2022.

Do I need to make advance arrangements when traveling with my pet?

You must register your pet in advance by calling Air Canada Reservations. Pets will not be accepted at the airport if they have not been registered in advance.

First, you need to book your own flight. Then, call Air Canada Reservations to register your pet for travel on the same flight as yours and provide the required information (dimensions of the carrier, weight, and breed of your pet). Because the number of pets accepted is limited by aircraft type, Air Canada recommends that you register your pet within 24 hours of completing your booking. Where your pet cannot be accommodated on your flight, your ticket can be refunded without charge. Any changes made to your booking after 24 hours will be subject to applicable change and cancellation fees.

If, after registering your pet, you change your reservation online or with your travel agent, you will need to change your pet’s reservation as well by calling Air Canada Reservations immediately afterward. If the change to your reservation is handled by an Air Canada Call Centre agent, your pet’s reservation will be changed at the same time.

When you have registered your pet for travel on an Air Canada flight, you need to arrive at the airport at least 30 minutes prior to the recommended check-in time for your flight and check in at the ticket counter. Web Check-in and Self-Service Kiosk Check-in are not available for passengers traveling with pets.

Can I travel internationally with my pet?

You may travel with your pet on an international flight, but many countries place restrictions on the entry of animals. You must comply with all restrictions and have in your possession all documents required by the destination country. Air Canada provides a partial list of countries with restrictions regarding the entry of animals but recommends you to contact the embassy or consulate of your destination country before traveling with your pet to another country.

Can I travel with my pet on a codeshare flight?

You cannot travel with your pet on a codeshare flight (a flight marketed by Air Canada but operated by another carrier). A codeshare flight bears an Air Canada designator code (e.g. AC5400) and displays a one-digit number next to the logo indicating the operating carrier.

You will be able to travel with your pet if your itinerary includes a flight that is marketed and operated by another airline (bears the operating carrier designator code, e.g. QF423) sold on aircanada.com. The pet travel policy of the other airline will apply, and you will need to make separate arrangements for your pet for that portion of your trip.

Pets in the Cabin

For travel in the cabin, Air Canada allows only one pet per passenger. You may not travel with your pet in the cabin in the following situations:

• A child is traveling without an accompanying adult (Unaccompanied Minor).
• You are traveling in Premium Economy Class.
• You are seated in an exit or bulkhead row.
• You require the use of a medical device that needs to be stowed underneath the seat.

Your pet must remain in a closed carrier at all times, including head and tail. Soft-sided carriers are recommended for travel in the cabin, but hard-sided carriers are also accepted. The following requirements apply for the pet carrier:

• Hard-sided carriers must not exceed the maximum dimensions of 23 cm (9 in) height x 40 cm (15.5 in) width x 55 cm (21.5 in) length.
• Soft-sided carriers must not exceed the maximum dimensions of 27 cm (10.5 in) height x 40 cm (15.5 in) width x 55 cm (21.5 in) length.
• On Boeing B777 300ER (77W) and B777-200 aircraft, the pet carrier must not exceed the maximum dimensions of 21 cm (8.25 in) height x 38 cm (15 in) width x 43 cm (17 in) length.
• On Boeing B787-8 (788) and B787-9 (789) aircraft, the pet carrier must not exceed the maximum dimensions of 20 cm (8 in) height x 40 cm (16 in) width x 43 cm (17 in) length.
• In Signature Class and Business Class cabins equipped with lie-flat beds, the pet carrier must not exceed the maximum dimensions of 28 cm (11) height x 21 cm (8 in) width x 41 cm (16 in) length.
• Must be well ventilated, leakproof, and big enough to allow your pet to stand up, turn around and lie down safely and comfortably.

The pet carrier counts as the one standard carry-on item which you are allowed to bring on board. Hence, pet restraint devices (e.g. car seats and pet strollers) must be checked (all checked baggage rules apply).

Fees

When you travel with your pet in the cabin, you have to pay the following charges plus applicable taxes:

• $50 CAD/USD one-way – flights within Canada and between Canada and the U.S. (except Hawaii, where pets are not accepted in the cabin).
• $100 CAD/USD one-way – international flights.

Pets in the Baggage Compartment

Each passenger is allowed no more than 2 pets as checked baggage, even when the pets are traveling in only one kennel. Two pets are counted as two pets even when traveling in one kennel.

Short/snub-nosed breeds of cats and dogs are not accepted for transportation in the baggage compartment. Dog breeds that are classified as strong dogs must be transported in a special reinforced container or crate.

Embargo Periods

Temperature restrictions (summer heat and cold weather) apply during the following periods:

• In the summer, due to potentially high temperatures on the ground at some airports, pets may not always be accepted when temperatures exceed 29.5°C (85°F). During these periods of high temperatures, Air Canada recommends that you travel a direct or non-stop flight early in the morning or late in the evening.
• From November 1 until March 31 and at any other time when the temperature is 0 °C (32 °F) or below, pets weighing less than 4.5 kg (10 lbs) are not accepted in the baggage compartment of any aircraft. Also, pets as checked baggage are not accepted on the following aircraft: Boeing B737 MAX 8, Bombardier CRJ200ER, Bombardier CRJ900, and Embraer E175. Because the cargo compartment is not heated and temperatures can be as low as 2 °C (36 °F), it is not recommended to transport pets as checked baggage on Airbus A319, A320, and A321 aircraft.

During the peak winter travel period, due to increased passenger and cargo loads, pets are not accepted:

• December 15 to January 12 – on any flight.
• September 14 to January 14 – on Air Canada flights AC1980 and AC1982 (Toronto ↔ Mexico City) and Air Canada Rouge flight AC1988 (Montreal ↔ Mexico City).

Kennels

To be accepted, your pet carrier must meet the following conditions:

• Must not exceed 292 cm (115 in) in linear dimensions (length + width + height).
• Must not exceed 45 kg (100 lbs), pet and kennel combined.
• Must be hard-sided. Soft-sided or wire carriers are not accepted.
• Must be secure and leakproof. Collapsible kennels are not permitted.
• Must be big enough to allow the pet to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably.
• Must not have wheels attached. Wheels must be removed from the kennel prior to check-in.
• May contain a maximum of 2 animals provided each animal does not weigh more than 14 kg (31 lbs).

When traveling with your pet as checked baggage, pet restraint devices (e.g. car seats and pet strollers) are accepted as checked baggage (checked baggage rules apply). You may also carry on board a pet restraint device as the standard article in your carry-on baggage allowance. Pet restraint devices cannot be gate-checked.

Fees

The following charges (plus applicable taxes) apply for pets traveling as checked baggage:

• $105 CAD/USD one-way – flights within Canada and between Canada and the U.S. (except Hawaii, where pets are not accepted in the baggage compartment).
• $270 CAD/USD one-way – international flights.

Service Animals

Air Canada allows certified, professionally-trained service animals assisting customers with disabilities to travel, free of charge, in the passenger cabin at the passenger’s feet. Service animals must be harnessed and certified as having been trained by a professional service animal institution (as required by Canadian Air Transportation Regulations). Also, you must pre-register your service animal through the Medical Assistance Desk at Air Canada Reservations 48 hours prior to your flight.

Effective March 2021, Air Canada no longer accepts emotional support animals in the cabin.

More information here >>